十月二十九日，距離萬聖節還有兩天，也是我和Mia從酒店返回Solihull的凶宅後的第二日。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdyjR7VnsI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUEHnX9fWc
為了安全起見，Mia和我在家裡形影不離，白晝一同出門到市中心的超級市場買食材，在咖啡店喝杯咖啡，晚餐後安坐在客廳的梳化上，搭著毛毯看電影，看累了便一同回去睡房，睡在同一個被窩中。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIIL0ovrAL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjfB2FCZS8
我們甚至會陪伴對方去廁所，一起洗澡浸浴，就像一對熱戀情侶。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XgP8Lei0T
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLIbpky0Bq
當然了，即使睡在一起也不代表我們有進一步的親密行為。畢竟這間屋裡還有一對鬼母子。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uMbU6P1JO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSQ8kLd39W
但出乎我們預料的是，回到家後到現在為止，再沒有怪事發生⋯⋯如果撇開凌晨時份偶爾聽到腳步聲和對話聲不計。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaYJX1lURT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAj73AWQTl
樂觀地想，至少我們並沒有送命。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbrW8szj4J
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Rj94hvW3
縱然無法理解箇中原因，但偉恩說得無錯，現在待在家中反而最安全。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5lhtOYMCg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h6SDkPMpo
我和Mia一度以為這場噩夢已經成為過去，佯裝若無其事地生活，待事情掉淡後再另覓居所。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufrnDR44lE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYUzI2TfeG
Ella曾經說過萬聖節是陰間和人間重疊的時刻，有點像所謂的鬼門關大開。既然有開門時間，那麼應該有關門的時間吧？195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsMQzKUs6d
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNpn2SIKeb
那麼，只要我們捱過萬聖節都平安無事的話，那對鬼母子應該就會放過我們吧？195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRF1cyrG7e
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9IYK45GKK
終於我和Mia心裡有了計劃，拖到萬聖節結束然後搬出去，展開只屬於我們兩人的新生活。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB7hLhKoWo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7Yab2z9da
「總之暫時咩都唔好諗，我哋好好放假。」我在咖啡店捱著她的手說道。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB0ZMcjO2K
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ejtRWNTSf
一切都很美好，直至今天我和Mia散步回來，在家門外的直路遇到鄰居大叔Tim。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BbKEXWgjb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAUv3s3hOC
風鈴再次被風響了。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBulnAoY8K
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvldKjjZbZ
Mia忽然問道：「Steven，你住嘅呢條街唔算多人慶祝萬聖節。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTAEcwT4vk
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR8PCgTKph
我停下腳步回望兩旁的住宅，留意到奇怪之處。英國擺節日裝飾很常見，在網上都會看到誇張得很的佈置，譬如說南瓜燈、燈串、骷髏骨頭和蜘蛛網。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj0KULEIV6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6YORunECM
像去年的萬聖節我跟了酒吧認識的獨居女生回家，她的屋外泊了一部假的警車，圍了圍封的膠帶，室外和睡房的地板都用粉筆劃了人形圖案，佈置成謀殺案的事故現場。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87qOGstgLL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKTWnutRY0
「殺死我！」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMaeZohdP6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBA8B299dC
「再快啲！再快啲！我要死喇！」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CcpzkExp4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93BnAh4wPi
那一次我扮演變態殺人狂，而那個女生一晚死了三次，荒唐的畫面至今記憶猶新。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXg7Uxkeb9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltyc2nRXOP
但，我的性經驗不是重點。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJRiCTl6s5
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscsYFSDCqn
重點是佈置。我們經過的住宅能分成「有佈置」和「完全沒有佈置」兩派，兩者中間沒有灰色地帶。吊詭的是，我認出有萬聖節佈置的都是搬進來不長時間的居民，至於那些彷彿忘了萬聖節存在的民居都是跟Tim一樣，住了超過二十年以上的老居民。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuenfQh6Cca
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIgFvr8fGL
「可能舊居民冇慶祝節日嘅習慣？」我不怎確定地對Mia解釋。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P4jOkI7rX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPOaNtaEsM
這時候，Tim的聲音在我們不遠處的草地響起。
這時候，Tim的聲音在我們不遠處的草地響起。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ148kXvrYc5
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrwpIeSgT0
「大家只係唔慶祝萬聖節。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvjW3ZhhBp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6fw0MPWjA
轉頭一瞥，我們與Tim的視線剛好對上。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffs7sXu7xt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpzcOsj8zW
Tim是「完全沒有佈置」的一派。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq5zctMFTE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV3Uftyni1
他關掉噏噏震動的剪草機，瞇起眼瞧看陰雲滿佈的天空。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl6By3sWRL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UJeveZgot
「嗯，又準備落雨。每年都一樣。你兩個都快啲返屋企囉。」他說罷便轉身往門外的木梯級走過去。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVjaNM4ab2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFYpkY1QmP
我不經意地看了Tim的屋子一眼，發現他是「完全沒有佈置」的一派，霍然憶起他在派對當晚登門的奇怪表情。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxnUoCYGHT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSbjIwXJ9x
直覺告訴我，眼前這道背影應該知道我需要一早知道的事情。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8EdunFuBO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKd4nZGP6R
我追問道：「點解大家唔慶祝萬聖節？係唔係怕啲咩？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uYw8wVWxX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1iItDFH6v
「你哋還好？」Tim停雨腳步，神色複雜地回望我們。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9mlcSdC1r
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt5nbKRnYD
我沒有回答他的問題，直勾勾地看著他。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjCFbVjKsV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbYXRN2f86
Mia說道：「我哋想知道『萬聖節』嘅事。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFwgveIQqc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtpeWBOMLw
Tim低吟兩秒，應道：「如果你哋唔趕時間，入嚟飲杯咖啡吧。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UngQc0WiE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAcfHMkmXq
如是者，Mia和我在Tim的邀請下到他的家作客。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou1nqnEGOi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhNu3u8lkq
Tim的家裝潢不俗，沒有過份現代化的設計，像九十年代的電影常見的佈置，廚房依然沿用明火的爐頭，棕色梳化的皮有點脫色，跟泛黃的薄荷綠直紋牆紙同樣帶著歲月月的痕跡。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNwlWTcuXt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HLjZqbyC4
窗戶外下起毛毛細雨，窗台上的花瓶，插著一束白花。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZhIXXrvJl
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolGZ0W6Qha
這時候，我和Mia坐在廚房外的木枱旁，看著Tim在狹隘的廚房煲水，動作不怎熟練。這一點我清楚不過，因為每日黃昏都帶外賣員的單車停在他的門口。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeYBi18kbS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0CTq6tbFP
嗒，嗒。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkFxb6F7r9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXE9CWpbgk
「Come on，you little shit⋯⋯」Tim 抱怨兩句後，爐頭亮起火光。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThwcDVm79v
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22kKBEm0gC
我好奇地站起來，在客廳踱步，當我走到壁爐前觀看錶在牆上的簽名球衣時，不禁被爐上的相架吸引住視線。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIinrzQTrC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22QC8tM6To
一家四口的全家幅。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8iGhEFr9l
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lhTlYuF4g
照片中的Tim金髮濃密，額頭沒有現在的火車路軌。他搭著妻子的肩膀，身前站著兩個活潑小孩，看上去十分溫馨。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAme9UglYY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwUdyW7vYw
水煲發出汽笛的鳴聲，壺嘴冒出熱霧，然後Tim小心翼翼地端著剛沖好的熱咖啡，從廚房步出客廳。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNIjqbFqGt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGWAJLZedD
「哈哈，以前都係我老婆招呼客人。佢走咗之後啊，你哋算係我第一個客人。」Tim發現我正在壁爐前看照片。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE21PTc1ng
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7rKzacvPp
「唔好意思。」 我尷尬一笑。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtLquBoPHO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcmKtZ3YzC
「唔緊要，哈哈。」Tim擺擺手，正色道：「所以，你哋想問關於萬聖節嘅事？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9EsTyDGDR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHQcMcE75B
「因為見到你哋屋企冇萬聖節裝飾。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv9hCS6ifL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFg1QujdMe
「我哋唔慶祝嘛，大概算係一種尊重吧。對我哋呢啲老街坊嚟講，萬聖節唔係一個好日子，或者係近乎一種禁忌。近幾年搬入嚟嘅鄰居唔知道。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoJCiUIiyN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5sh60O6Nz
「宗教信仰？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvUwl1Nl1T
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspWeiLcpb6
Tim 搖了搖頭。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYZgUrDrym
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZttsajvk9
「你哋無對佢哋解釋？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AeX40riMO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n4iMll3rw
「冇人願意提，而且有啲事知得愈少愈好。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWIqtBTGKT
「但你同我哋講嘅原因係？」Mia疑惑。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypb7pEJWio
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mpumsO8AY
「因為我想搵後生女仔陪我呢個大叔傾計解悶囉，嘿嘿。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClkHFkb9nK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGdgbnYJWz
我們知道，Tim沒有說出真正的原因。真正原因是，我們是需要知道真相的人。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqDRmlYIXH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpJHd4xFqV
「你哋都冇佈置，不過應該係其他原因？」Tim呷一口咖啡，壓低聲線道：「已經見過『佢哋』？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXSIuuI6CH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7r54EzL2G
Tim口中的「他們」顯然指那對鬼母子！195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSTlYN47LD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV93b0nkno
我和Mia不約而同點頭。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1gGmqJQXs
「你知道佢哋存在？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgWtwEznQz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTWOnTllCY
「唔，呢十幾年來有幾個舊街坊見到佢哋。每一次都係十月三十一號。佢哋拖住手，出現喺呢條街。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIpL0Wf2uj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqLcdchNUg
「唔係每一年？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN1dtE8y6U
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7H6RAsRTW
Tim 掏出衫袋的煙盒，抽了一支叼在嘴上：「只有當有新人搬入去你間屋嘅嗰一年。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz0nuyGlpd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYKC4jVRz2
「所以你都見過？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6rgks96AK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvybV7vp3P
「見過？我認識佢哋一家。又或者，我先係造成呢場悲劇嘅元兇。」Tim凝視花瓶的白花，眼眸中露出難以明喻的愧疚。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUIVq1xh1m
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ5btcMMuv
一片花瓣無聲掉落窗台，Tim拿起火機點煙，說出那一段不為人知的往事⋯⋯195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡharqkFpsIK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRu52XwPVF
＊195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmF1qX9OTp
＊195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtVT9Fvwcf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy1bwm6yLz
嚓。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh71Ex5hB9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQLZUk1KTq
「喔，唔該唔該。」Tim輕拍遞上火機的手示意。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31Qt8PITP6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl3SQRPunF
坐在Tim對面的男人身穿皮褸牛仔褲，有一頭棕啡頭髮，鷹鼻下是一雙無情的薄唇，臉頰有點點雀斑，左耳上夾住一根煙，看上去像一個入型入格的壞男人。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZYP9rqT08
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldWNHinyG9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoPhUOeCTN
這個壞男人叫Simon，這個故事不能或缺的男主角 。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndNyu9IR3C
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90VpphIqfk
Simon跟Tim在同一間建築公司工作，是後者的前輩，私底下兩人也是認識多年的朋友。自從Simon跟Tim成為鄰居後，兩個家庭更不時聚會，所以Tim也認識Simon的妻子和孩子，Patricia和Jack。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz1zGGCuXJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVDRlGKY7o
Patricia的家在蘇格蘭經營傳統生意，家境不錯，而且擁有漂亮的臉蛋和一頭柔順如綢的及腰長髮，純樸的氣質勝過那個年代不少明星。她在一次到南邊城市旅行時遇上Simon。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66Fb9MgPNw
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmwbnnGshz
Patricia沒有大小姐脾氣，是一個賢淑的妻子，也是一個好母親。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyMsWxjlS6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsBzOdLJcA
要說的是，Simon和Tim雖然抽同一牌子的煙，但性格南轅北轍。Simon為人好勝，不但沉迷賭博，而且花天酒地，這樣的男人能娶妻生子，是他的福份，也是Patricia母子的不幸。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeLNXMgu7T
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyFqLJj1rh
跟一般當地人一樣，他們在假日經常聚會，因此。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb7P1mWYca
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6CuEGEjKL
「係喇，我之前見到Patricia⋯⋯佢塊面瘀咗，唔會係你打佢吧？」Tim試探道。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks7Y3x6gOM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprEEQyldFL
Simon呼出一口煙：「唔關我事，佢自己唔小心跌親。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAr5x80DQ0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuY4RyBQJr
Tim看到對方迴避自己的目光，頓時心裡有數。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpGjQpbnDF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNorIlcT5do
「今次輸幾多錢？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RLb0kqDDh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoLQUlrl9w
Simon聞言，露出一抹笑容，彷彿一直在等Tim這句話。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf8vTH6GJk
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz2wffPJlZ
「兩千鎊。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecTJIXeLpb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtia8zz8Zs
兩千鎊當然不是一個小數目，而且Tim已經不是第一次替這傢伙還債。可是因為Simon帶他入行，加上他不忍看到Patricia被當作出氣袋，所以還是選擇妥協。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMDWWK6qIQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiFAw9UqbN
「最後一次，唔好再拎去賭。自從你搬咗去嗰間屋⋯⋯」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByjwNzaoIQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlVM48VovQ
「我間屋好好。」Simon眼中閃過一抹戾色，續說道：「唔好咁迷信，總之我今次一定戒賭。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4xIE8QASU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LLrohceWW
這是1997年，萬聖節前的一個星期。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o1eFLStH5
事實上，Simon在1995年前買下那塊廢棄的空地前，Tim曾經多次勸止過。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JYZS4cB3I
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXDEhwuGWy
「Simon，你再考慮清楚先。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqXA3l58I4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vmg55g3rZ
「我約好咗簽咗約，呢啲荀盤難得呀。再講，Jack 都已經5歲，我哋都一直搵緊地方安頓落嚟。」 Simon站在雜草叢生的空地前，滿意地點摸下巴。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIlnz2yS8P
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIcYHAzlIt
「嘛，咁確實比租屋好，但其實重有其他選擇。老婆，你話係唔係？」Tim一再勸說。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDnZ5xwgNb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWqHNIZcoa
然而，Tim的妻子的說詞卻是不一。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ9alk1XDn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4WqNwRen0
「其實我都覺得住近啲好⋯⋯大家有個照應。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaYiDfoouJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLP11RuLDk
Simon笑道：「係呀，住近啲好。重有邊度可以呢塊地咁划算？呢塊空地可以起幾層。我一手包辦，又可以慳一筆，半年內應該可以入伙囉。自己有間屋就唔候俾其他人睇死，嘿。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdomJzUulg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMQqdBIchb
Patricia聽到Simon的話尷尬地偏過頭。確實，父母由始至終都反對他們的婚事，覺得Simon為人不可靠，出身於貧窮的家庭。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTUQeU7JlV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3N63SShTe
富不過三代，但窮絕對可以，是一種惡性循環。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCKqCBUgdD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozErMgtiMY
Simon一直對此心懷介蒂，當一塊便宜的地出現在他面前，他哪裡能按捺這個吐氣揚眉的機會？195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyuCuRCeTp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcN33jqQ8Q
Simon一手抱起兒子：「嗱，之後你就有大屋住喇，重大過Tim叔叔間屋㗎。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHpIMoeKcw
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XX7tY6pGY
Tim知道對方聽不進耳裡，也放棄繼續游說下去。也許，那個傳說只是騙小孩的故事罷了。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt003rqcNZI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplfhNi4agQ
他的目光被空地邊緣的小黃花吸引。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pvOaam52d
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0FKxa3m8n
小黃花剛剛綻放，生機無比，像接下來一年的Simon一家的美滿生活。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L567tsvfS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pEQkw9tz7
＊195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH54AgeL3j
＊195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvvABsPDlt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PUdhCblX1
Tim捻熄煙蒂，若有所思地攪動杯中的咖啡。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJXlyqKQ28
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQCENG7Oj6
「花會開，自然有淍落嘅時候。Simon 間屋比預期快完工，一家三口搬入去。最初都幾好，Simon重喺賭場贏到一大筆錢。但諗返轉頭，本來佢買嗰塊地嘅資金都係因為賭錢贏返嚟⋯⋯說好似魔鬼向佢招手一樣。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fVEPgMJqJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxM7hWAUFX
「佢之後開始輸錢？」我並不意外。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z46imtoL1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUhPN0lUv1
輸錢皆因贏錢起，這可是老生常談。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQjlwMl0CW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTtq6k1WPe
「嗯，大約96年冬天吧，當時落緊雪。Simon第一次向我借錢，起初數目唔大，我都以為佢會收手。但之後佢經常流露著晒魔嘅陌生眼神，我就記起嗰一個傳說。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2ZGLjA5TE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLoZCEc4uW
「傳說，你最初勸Simon 唔好買嘅原因？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rwSmCJgvF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowJIZ2FCDD
Tim點點頭：「血樹傳說。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDzGHGQf3I
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8Vkh6Soy6
「What the⋯⋯」Mia說。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l3OH0dr8P
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ3TS6W3wo
「fuck？」我補充。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde56kMm9Yn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCsyOEyTk9
「女巫與血樹嘅傳說。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzqhbchDuE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRjFEPzuKh
＊195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajcYxxYtC0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxFjhUI6ZK
那是1997年前10月31日，Tim最後一次看到Patricia和小男孩Jack。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBKYFBqP1k
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnfUJ2u5Mv
這時候，Jack和Tim的大兒子在家裡的後花園追逐嬉戲。Tim抱著女兒和Patricia坐在屋外的太陽傘下聊天。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v4rMfTtEe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2HEkmb6b1
「Patricia，佢又打你？」Tim瞧看Patricia的墨鏡，看見眉角的傷口。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlrtGHk4XG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GGQ6R9AYU
Patricia趕忙搖頭：「唔，係我唔小心撞親。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeSQgtqnmM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRUjHmzOLm
「Bloody Simon！死性不改，我過去幫你教訓佢。」Tim捲起衣䄂，怒氣匆匆地站起來，打算為Patricia出頭。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSjQTcU8T7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwIMb8Ytlo
「佢前日出咗去，到今日都未返。不過佢今晚一定會返。佢往年都會陪Jack過萬聖節。佢只係最近心情唔好。自從搬咗嚟之後，佢變咗好多。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOkKaXXYi0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeaSwWTe31
「Patricia，你哋快啲搬走。搬去其他地方又好，過嚟暫住一下都好，總之離開嗰間屋。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9zqBRI44N
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldBgWXJDoH
這時候，Tim的妻子剛好推門走出花園，與Patricia四目交投，Tim並沒有為意兩人眼神中的異樣之色。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGkA3HsJh8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf1JhdxuDo
Patricia尷尬地笑道：「Simon好快就冇事。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ5Q5B6Gmq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yyjPiayhQ
「你聽我講，血樹傳說可能係真，嗰塊地係不祥之地。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu7WETQa7u
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEL7L7NFxb
血樹傳說的起源於十四世紀，與當時的奪走大量人類生命的黑死病有莫大關係。當時的醫學水平不及現今發達，疫症在歐洲肆虐，人們束手無策，每天活在徨恐中，只能祈禱疫情早日完結。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqWPFvpVb3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUvnAKpLTN
信仰是一把雙面刃，能帶給人們希望，同時也可以是絕望。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYPLDCSe2o
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtABqwQsSqK
「係女巫嘅惡毒邪術導致呢場災難！要完結呢場噩夢，就要搵出施巫術嘅女巫！」第一個人提出。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mysO7Geoj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMcOQezWbR
「討伐女巫！！！將女巫吊死！！！」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyoc1eMeAv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA3PzF50n9
「燒死可惡嘅女巫！」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcpY1Gjk2q
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNXVUj90is
人聲鼎沸，人們在民間掀起一場以討伐女巫為名的大屠殺。至於當時的中部大陸也不例外，人們把自以為的女巫抓到刑場處決。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3x7JBw9GF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvATkALDzee
先扒去衣服，吊在柳樹上示眾三日三夜。如果中途被亂石頭掉死算幸運，還有氣息的被視為強大的女巫，被淋上熱油後再活活燒死，畫面殘酷得讓人髮指。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2UDEf5alp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKt8ImZ8As
那段時間，柳樹掛滿一具具女屍。其中有女巫嗎？沒有人知道，但枉死的女子絕對更多。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxfN4SYecu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERuUwJPcyR
黑死病消失，屠殺女巫的迷信行為被禁止。但在此之後的某日，人們發現了有一株詭異至極的柳樹。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtEMcT4ICw
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuiAH1Exyz
風吹過，能聽見淒厲的慘叫聲。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdKIST8RJg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCtuG87SR3
砍進樹幹，流出來的是腥紅的鮮血。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn0797Mt2i
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznxa1HL6l6
將濕潤的泥土拿上手把玩，殘留強烈的血腥味。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpQzC283Nv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBZIM77MHc
由於這株柳樹過於恐怖，所以最後被人民合力砍掉，請來神父淨化。但更離奇的是，傳聞所有參與砍樹的人和神父事後都死於非命，先後上吊，彷彿遭到邪靈的詛咒似的。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM3cI2jwTf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjb08RQWPv
「Tim，真係唔使擔心我哋。」Patricia握住Tim的手，衷心感謝Tim的關心。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQDTifiJDR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVwyUR7di8
「Jack，過嚟同Tim叔叔講媽媽教你嘅說話。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKTE3PKcB6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8edG8D1LZ
「知道！」小男孩穿著白色小西裝，跑到Tim的面前。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8un4ABbQ9Z
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7P1yCbnvT
「The sky is blue⋯⋯」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIK0LjVpjM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ9yN09yol
「The grass is green⋯⋯」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHIfKIcsxJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FuWFD6wTP
「May we have our Halloween？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrUrQmN8u3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WdqUfUjzl
「If not a penny, a ha’penny will do⋯⋯」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMji8TpD1V9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFR7odZais
「If not a ha’ penny, then God bless you!」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBELLHMH32
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjCZktzxe2
男孩Jack 吐舌，乖巧地伸出手。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7FmmVdzYr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlN6qHTplH
「Trick or treat？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELhE2s1Qh1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycytXBj03B
＊195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkFnQZngmi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn735HCRml
聽到Tim 唸出那幾句說話，我和Mia頃刻被寒意佔據身體每個角落。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtzYS4d48L
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXlIuFCVXi
Patricia和小男孩Jack正是一直纏著他們的鬼母子！195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA3spaqKyF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuArtnpNpEu
「嗰晚之後，我哋冇再見過Patricia同Jack。至於Simon見過一次。佢當時拖住行李走得好急。我問過佢嗰兩母子究竟喺邊，佢只係答我離家出走。一年之後，Simon因為欠債，走投無路，喺樹林嘅柳樹上吊自殺。由於死法太過離奇，所以報紙都有大肆報導。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ230JnIrasl
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC8rm6sAlS
「離奇？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NE8pGeGzb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmESBfy9DYG
「兩隻眼血淋淋，但現場搵唔到佢嘅眼珠。一個失明嘅人走入森林上吊自殺，你覺得有可能嗎？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9O4neeLu7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFdEIRtv0G
Tim喝光咖啡，續道：「自此之後，認識呢對母子嘅街坊都唔再慶祝萬聖節。因為我哋相信Patricia同Jack喺萬聖節遇害，已經唔喺人世。如果我當時用盡辦法留低Patricia，事情未必會變成咁。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUjhP2WMzE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdc9Thfz9j
Mia不解地問道：「你點解肯定佢哋死咗？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNp4mQlBwJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGfW2fMjGN
Tim遙看壁爐上照片，露出一抹淒酸的笑容：「我太太同我講。『係報應，Patricia咁強年來都唔肯原諒我呀』⋯⋯我太太臨走前一年病入膏肓，呢一句係佢最清醒嘅說話。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl37Cc0GQmd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtsTWKbUgc
「等等先，我唔係好明白。」我聽得一頭冒水。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O5eVBS7BX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ69vu6k1I
「我太太同Simon⋯⋯嘿嘿。我嘅大仔都唔係我親生嘅。哧，其實哧我一直都知個仔唔似我。但我對天父發過誓嘛，老婆始終都老婆，係咪親生仔都係我養大，養隻巴西龜都有感情啦。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP3I3GDIFb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGEcy7PEo8
很綠，十分綠。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mDZLnmiAj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNNqLw29iV
他的綠，比巴西龜、忍者龜和Marvel的變形俠醫都比下去。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcxRkqtlID
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3upBMg1Ekr
Mia瞄我一眼，對Tim 說道：「你係一個好男人。如果係我就未必做得到。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza76amxXK8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjW9JrP4yN
「都已經老夫老妻，是但啦。不過，自從Patricia消失之後，我太太開始惡疾纏身，病情反反覆覆，手術都做過好多次，但一直唔畀佢解脫，好似有一種無形嘅力量刻意要佢受盡折磨。二十年來，每日佢都喺病痛中渡過。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaIzrHNxUY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z9tf1hkJ2
「佢居然冇自殺？」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr0v5nRmSW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbA3Cc95vT
Mia瞪我一眼，用力踩在我的腳背上。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgBkF7lspk
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThFnG5mbfH
「唔好意思。」我聳肩道歉。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNmlj1xvRk
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjopWbZQihu
Tim不在意地笑了笑：「我太太認為活著係最好嘅贖罪，即使我哋嘅大仔好多年前都已經填命⋯⋯唔，係車禍。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqdw0zAZgO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1iCv0gjK8
Tim凝視我們：「對唔住，我都唔知有咩能夠幫到你哋。又或者，其實今日係你兩個幫咗我呢一個大叔，哈哈。我一直見唔到佢哋兩母子。如果你哋唔好彩見到佢哋，就幫我道歉吧。」195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuM1qtLmb2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaaBIrmMbc
這是Tim跟我們說最後一段說話。195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus01g1WHk5
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf3cCAtvcm
＊195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN2I5ltfHL
然後按「加至主畫面」